First Solar announces fifth US factory
First Solar has revealed plans to open its fifth factory in the United States. The new facility is expected to add 3.5 GW of annual production capacity at a cost of $1.1 billion.
Module prices revert to descending trajectory after a brief rally
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Marubeni, Hamada enter solar panel recycling business
Japan’s Marubeni and Hamada have launched Rexia Corporation to offer solar panel recycling and reuse services across the country, diverting material from landfill and giving a second life to older panels.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Three Gorges buys 2.2 GW of PV panels for $0.18-019/W
China Three Gorges Group has announced its latest PV module procurement results, while GCL-Si has revealed plans to raise CNY 5.8 billion ($812.9 million) via a private placement to finance its expansion.
Belgian startup offers custom CIGS solar foils
Enfoil is developing a CIGS thin film custom manufacturing business, targeting building-integrated PV applications, such as powering sensors or track & trace sub-systems in trucks. The company is a spinoff of Hasselt University and imec, the Belgian research institute.
PV-driven controlled farming tech for non-electrified areas
Scientists from India conceived a new system for crop growth in remote areas with no connection to the power grid. It consists of a PV panel, add-on module hardware (AOMH), a battery, step-down DC-DC converters, system power devices, automation, and sensor elements. For climate control, it also comprises a water pump, a ventilation fan for CO2 assimilation, sprinkler foggers, and drop irrigation solenoids.
Using shunts to spot PV module degradation
Scientists in Ireland investigated the effect of shunt resistance on a PV cell’s electrical performance. The group says its finding could potentially lead to the development of models for early detection of various forms of cell degradation, allowing for intervention to repair or replace components before major power losses occur.
Meyer Burger builds 2 GW solar cell factory in US
Meyer Burger plans to start a 2 GW cell factory in Colorado in the fourth quarter of this year.
Single-junction III-V solar cell based on spalled GaAs substrate achieves 26.9% efficiency
NREL researchers used acoustically spalled gallium arsenide substrate that reportedly reduces electrical shunting, resulting in potentially lower manufacturing costs. The cell achieved an open-circuit voltage of 1.061 V, a short-circuit current density of 29.9 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 84.9%.
Revkor, H2 Gemini unveil plan to build 20 GW HJT perovskite cell, module factory in U.S.
The two companies are targeting to reach an annual production capacity of 20 GW by the end of 2025. Manufacturing activities are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of next year.
